441 Large Vessels Congregate Near Strait of Hormuz Amid Ongoing US Iran Diplomatic Standoff
2026-06-22 22:41

Data compiled by Woofun AI shows that 441 large vessels, comparable in scale to oil tankers, have congregated in waters near Sohar, Oman, and Fujairah, UAE, as of Sunday at 14:15 GMT. This accumulation represents a significant increase from early April levels, driven by shipping companies pre-positioning fleets to rapidly restore capacity once the strait reopens. Despite partial lifting of US restrictions and tentative resumption by some commercial vessels, the main channel remained nearly stagnant, with actual passage highly restricted pending finalization of ceasefire and navigation mechanisms between Washington and Tehran.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue in Switzerland, where US and Iranian officials negotiate a 'deconfliction mechanism' and maritime security arrangements aimed at ensuring continuous strait access. Although four Qatari liquefied natural gas carriers transited the strait on Monday—marking a phased high since late February—and some vessels reactivated transponders signaling marginal risk improvement, overall shipping efficiency remains low. Iranian oil tanker movements have resumed following last week's US policy shift, yet high uncertainty persists as Iran announced phased closures amid escalating regional tensions.

Disclaimer: Views are the author's own and do not represent the platform. Do not reproduce without permission. Content is for reference only, not investment advice. Trade at your own risk.
Share:
back